J.T. Miller doesn't believe the Vancouver Canucks should be taking the ice any time soon following their COVID-19 outbreak.
"I don't feel ready at all," Miller said Wednesday, per The Athletic's Thomas Drance.
The Canucks haven't played since March 26 after as many as 21 players and four staff members tested positive for the virus. Vancouver is slated to return Friday versus the Edmonton Oilers.
"I hope people don't take this the wrong way, I'm a super competitive guy ... but this isn't about hockey for our team," Miller said. "This is about the health and safety of our players, their family, and their children."
He continued: "To be brutally honest, we're going to need more time than this to come back and play hockey. Even the guys that didn't get it aren't ready."
Miller admitted his conditioning has declined despite never testing positive.
"Even for me, sitting around and not doing much, my lungs are screaming," he said.
Miller's comments were the talk of the hockey world Wednesday, and there could be fallout. The Canucks had a video meeting with the National Hockey League Players' Association, and clarification on the resumption of the team's schedule will be provided Thursday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Seven Canucks players remain on the league's COVID-19 list, including Jalen Chatfield, Alex Edler, Jayce Hawryluk, Nils Hoglander, Zack MacEwen, Nate Schmidt, and Jake Virtanen, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Vancouver currently has a 16-18-3 record. As of now, the Canucks are set to play the entirety of their 56-game schedule.
